Thallium Hyperaccumulation in Polish Populations of Biscutella laevigata (Brassicaceae)

AbstractBiscutella laevigataL. is known as a Tl hyperaccumulator. In PolandBiscutella laevigataoccurs in the Tatra Mts (Western Carpathians) and on the calamine waste heap in Bolesław near Olkusz (Silesian Upland). The purpose of this work was to evaluate whether plants of both populations were able to accumulate an elevated amount of thallium in their tissues. The plants were cultivated in calamine soil in a glasshouse for a season and studied at different ages – from 2-week-old seedlings to 10-month-old adults. Additionally, the plants were grown for ten weeks in calamine soil with EDTA to enhance Tl bioavailability. The total content of Tl in plant tissues after digestion was determined by ICP-MS, whereas its distribution in leaves was studied by LA-ICP-MS. Of the total content of Tl in the soil in the range of (15.2–66.7) mg∙kg−1d.m., only (1.1–2.1) mg∙kg−1d.m. was present in a bioavailable form. The mean content in all the plants grown on the soil without EDTA was 98.5 mg∙kg−1d.m. The largest content was found in leaves – 164.9 mg∙kg−1d.m. (max. 588.2 mg∙kg−1d.m.). In the case of plants grown on the soil enriched with EDTA, the mean content in plants increased to 108.9 mg∙kg−1d.m., max. in leaves – 138.4 mg∙kg−1d.m. (max. 1100 mg∙kg−1d.m.). The translocation factor was 6.1 in the soil and 2.2 in the soil with EDTA; the bioconcentration factor amounted to 10.9 and 5.8, respectively. The plants from both populations did not contain a Tl amount clearly indicating hyperaccumulation (100–500 mg∙kg−1d.m.), however, high (>1) translocation and bioconcentration factors suggest such an ability. It is a characteristic species-wide trait;B. laevigataL. is a facultative Tl hyperaccumulator. The largest Tl amount was located at the leaf base, the smallest at its top. Thallium also occurred in trichomes, which was presented for the first time; in this way plants detoxify Tl in the above-ground parts. Leaves were much more hairy in the Bolesław plants. This is an adaptation for growth in the extreme conditions of the zinc-lead waste heap with elevated Tl quantity.

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Elementome of Endemic Dolomitic Flora: Pterocephalus spathulatus (Lag.) Coult

Land ◽

10.3390/land10111253 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1253

Author(s):

Encarna Merlo ◽

Antonio J. Mendoza-Fernández ◽

Esteban Salmerón-Sánchez ◽

Fabián Martínez-Hernández ◽

Andrea Ortiz-Úbeda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mineral Composition ◽

Plant Community ◽

Toxic Metals ◽

Aerial Part ◽

Bioconcentration Factor ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

Mineral Contents ◽

Characteristic Species ◽

The Rich ◽

High Concentrations

Unusual dolomite substrates present a phenomenon known as dolomitophily, which refers to the specificity of the flora that grows on them. Within the dolomitic flora, one of the most widespread plants in Spain is the characteristic species Pterocephalus spathulatus (Lag.) Coult., which forms whitish prostrate thymes. The present study focused on the knowledge about the ionome (or elementome) of a characteristic dolomite species and some of its applications, both in terms of its nutritional behaviour and in determining the factors that favour the rich and rare flora growing on dolomitic soils. Soil, foliar, stem and root samples of the species studied were collected from different locations in the south of Spain. The samples were analysed to determine their mineral composition. The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and the Translocation Factor (TF) were calculated, relating the values of the mineral contents in the soil, both total and phytoavailable, to the values from the foliar, root and stem samples. It was found that this species was able to accumulate some elements, including B, Cr, Cu, Ni, Ti, Tl and Zn, which can be phytotoxic in high concentrations, and are considered to be some of the main toxic metals in soils. In addition, it was observed that the plant can accumulate metals in the stem and leaves (TF), thus proving that it is capable of transporting them from the root to the aerial part of the plant. The data obtained may indicate that other species in the plant community may possess this bioindicator or even phytoremediation capacity.

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Prediction Models for Evaluating the Uptake of Heavy Metals by the Invasive Grass Vossia cuspidata (Roxb.) Griff. in the River Nile, Egypt: A Biomonitoring Approach

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su131910558 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (19) ◽

pp. 10558

Author(s):

Emad A. Farahat ◽

Waleed F. Mahmoud ◽

Hossam E. A. Awad ◽

Hussein F. Farrag ◽

Muhammad Arshad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Regression Models ◽

Bioconcentration Factor ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

River Nile ◽

Invasive Grass ◽

Sediment Properties ◽

Zn And Cu In ◽

The Mean

This study aimed to develop new prediction models that include sediment properties (pH, organic matter, and silt and clay concentrations) for estimating the potential uptake of heavy metals (HMs) by the invasive grass Vossia cuspidata. Plant and sediment samples were collected from the microsites that represent the natural distribution of the species in two Nile islands in Cairo, Egypt. The results show that the root was the main accumulating organ for the analyzed HMs (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb). The mean concentrations of Fe and Mn and the maximum concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Pb were phytotoxic. The values of the bioconcentration factor were >1, while the translocation factor was >1 for Zn and Cu in rhizome and stem, Mn in leaf, and Ni and Pb in stem and leaf. There were no significant differences between the measured and the predicted HM concentrations in all organs of the species. This indicates the excellent robustness of the developed regression models. Sixteen equations (out of 24) had high R2 values. Thus, V. cuspidata could be considered a biomonitor for HM pollution, and the developed equations will benefit the prediction of HM uptake by the species in the River Nile ecosystem.

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Phytoremediation of heavy metals using Amaranthus dubius

10.51415/10321/355 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

◽

John Jason Mellem

Keyword(s):

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Culture System ◽

Bioconcentration Factor ◽

Microwave Digestion ◽

Translocation Factor ◽

Emerging Technology ◽

Vegetable Crop ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Aerial Parts ◽

Icp Ms

Phytoremediation is an emerging technology where specially selected and engineered metal-accumulating plants are used for bioremediation. Amaranthus dubius (marog or wild spinach) is a popular nutritious leafy vegetable crop which is widespread especially in the continents of Africa, Asia and South America. Their rapid growth and great biomass makes them some of the highest yielding leafy crops which may be beneficial for phytoremediation. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of A. dubius for the phytoremediation of Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni). Locally gathered soil and plants of A. dubius were investigated for the metals from a regularly cultivated area, a landfill site and a sewage site. Metals were extracted from the samples using microwave-digestion and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Further experiments were conducted with plants from locally collected seeds of A. dubius, in a tunnel house under controlled conditions. The mode of phytoremediation, the effect of the metals on the plants, the ability of the plant to extract metals from soil (Bioconcentration Factor - BCF), and the ability of the plants to move the metals to the aerial parts of the plants (Translocation Factor - TF) were evaluated for the different metals. Finally, A. dubius was micro-propagated in a tissue culture system with and without exposure to the metal, and the effect was studied by electron microscopy.

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RESULTS OF INTRALESIONAL TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR CHALAZION TREATMENT

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2011.5.13 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 100-104

Author(s):

Thi Thu Nguyen ◽

Viet Hien Vo ◽

Thi Em Do

Keyword(s):

Success Rate ◽

Key Words ◽

Triamcinolone Acetonide ◽

Lower Eyelid ◽

Upper Eyelid ◽

Interventional Trial ◽

The Mean ◽

First Time

The study use intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection proceduce for chalazion treatment.1. Objectives: To evaluate results of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment. 2. Method: This noncomparative prospective interventional trial included 72 chalazions of 61 patients. 3. Results: 61 patients (72 chalazions) with 19 males (31.1%) và 42 females (68.9%), the mean age was 24 ± 9,78 years. 31.1% patients was the first time chalazion and 68.9% patients was more than one times chalazion including 78.6% patients was recurrent at the first position and 21.4% patients occur at new position. 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions was treated before and 56 (77.8%) chalazions wasn’t done that. 72 chalazions with 49 chalazions (68.1%) are local in upper eyelid and 23 chalazions (31.9%) are local in lower eyelid. The mean of chalazion diameter is 6.99 ± 3.03mm. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is injected to treat 72 chalazions with 16 (22.2%) chalazions are injected through the route of skin and 56 (77.8%) chalazions are injected through the route of conjunctiva. After 2 weeks follow-up, the success rate was 93.1% and 6.9% failed. 4. Conclusion: intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for chalazion treatment is really effective. Key words: chalazion, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide.

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Synthesis of a silymarin-gold nanoparticle conjugate and analysis of its liver-protecting activity

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/1389201022666210101163734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Author(s):

Sergey Staroverov ◽

Sergey Kozlov ◽

Alexander Fomin ◽

Konstantib Gabalov ◽

Alexey Volkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gold Nanoparticles ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Glutathione Depletion ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Experimental Hepatitis ◽

Acute Liver Disease ◽

The Mean ◽

Extent Of Damage ◽

First Time

Background: The liver disease problem prompts investigators to search for new methods of liver treatment. Introduction: Silymarin (Sil) protects the liver by reducing the concentration of free radicals and the extent of damage to the cell membranes. A particularly interesting method to increase the bioavailability of Sil is to use synthesized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as reagents. The study considered whether it was possible to use the silymarin-AuNP conjugate as a potential liver-protecting drug. Method: AuNPs were conjugated to Sil and examine the liver-protecting activity of the conjugate. Experimental hepatitis and hepatocyte cytolysis after carbon tetrachloride actionwere used as a model system, and the experiments were conducted on laboratory animals. Result: For the first time, silymarin was conjugated to colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Electron microscopy showed that the resultant preparations were monodisperse and that the mean conjugate diameter was 18–30 nm ± 0.5 nm (mean diameter of the native nanoparticles, 15 ± 0.5 nm). In experimental hepatitis in mice, conjugate administration interfered with glutathione depletion in hepatocytes in response to carbon tetrachloride was conducive to an increase in energy metabolism, and stimulated the monocyte–macrophage function of the liver. The results were confirmed by the high respiratory activity of the hepatocytes in cell culture. Conclusion: We conclude that the silymarin-AuNP conjugate holds promise as a liver-protecting agent in acute liver disease caused by carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

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Neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the population mean

Complex & Intelligent Systems ◽

10.1007/s40747-021-00439-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zaigham Tahir ◽

Hina Khan ◽

Muhammad Aslam ◽

Javid Shabbir ◽

Yasar Mahmood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimum Mean Square Error ◽

Auxiliary Information ◽

Population Parameter ◽

Uncertain Information ◽

Population Mean ◽

Classical Statistics ◽

Neutrosophic Statistics ◽

The Mean ◽

Type Data ◽

First Time

AbstractAll researches, under classical statistics, are based on determinate, crisp data to estimate the mean of the population when auxiliary information is available. Such estimates often are biased. The goal is to find the best estimates for the unknown value of the population mean with minimum mean square error (MSE). The neutrosophic statistics, generalization of classical statistics tackles vague, indeterminate, uncertain information. Thus, for the first time under neutrosophic statistics, to overcome the issues of estimation of the population mean of neutrosophic data, we have developed the neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the mean of the finite population utilizing auxiliary information. The neutrosophic observation is of the form $${Z}_{N}={Z}_{L}+{Z}_{U}{I}_{N}\, {\rm where}\, {I}_{N}\in \left[{I}_{L}, {I}_{U}\right], {Z}_{N}\in [{Z}_{l}, {Z}_{u}]$$ Z N = Z L + Z U I N where I N ∈ I L , I U , Z N ∈ [ Z l , Z u ] . The proposed estimators are very helpful to compute results when dealing with ambiguous, vague, and neutrosophic-type data. The results of these estimators are not single-valued but provide an interval form in which our population parameter may have more chance to lie. It increases the efficiency of the estimators, since we have an estimated interval that contains the unknown value of the population mean provided a minimum MSE. The efficiency of the proposed neutrosophic ratio-type estimators is also discussed using neutrosophic data of temperature and also by using simulation. A comparison is also conducted to illustrate the usefulness of Neutrosophic Ratio-type estimators over the classical estimators.

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Determination of Flavonoids Compounds of Three Species and Different Harvesting Periods in Crataegi folium Based on LC-MS/MS

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26061602 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 1602

Author(s):

Ya-Ping Guo ◽

Hong Yang ◽

Ya-Li Wang ◽

Xiao-Xiang Chen ◽

Ke Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Quantitative Method ◽

Total Content ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

Time Saving ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

First Time

Crataegi folium have been used as medicinal and food materials worldwide due to its pharmacological activities. Although the leaves of Crataegus songorica (CS), Crataegus altaica (CA) and Crataegus kansuensis (CK) have rich resources in Xinjiang, China, they can not provide insights into edible and medicinal aspects. Few reports are available on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids compounds of their leaves. Therefore, it is necessary to develop efficient methods to determine qualitative and quantitative flavonoids compounds in leaves of CS, CA and CK. In the study, 28 unique compounds were identified in CS versus CK by qualitative analysis. The validated quantitative method was employed to determine the content of eight flavonoids of the leaves of CS, CA and CK within 6 min. The total content of eight flavonoids was 7.8–15.1 mg/g, 0.1–9.1 mg/g and 4.8–10.7 mg/g in the leaves of CS, CA and CK respectively. Besides, the best harvesting periods of the three species were from 17th to 26th September for CS, from 30th September to 15th October for CA and CK. The validated and time-saving method was successfully implemented for the analysis of the content of eight flavonoids compounds in CS, CA and CK for the first time.

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P1398 Echocardiographic continuous monitoring of exercise stress test using probe fixation device

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.831 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

K Wdowiak-Okrojek ◽

P Wejner-Mik ◽

Z Bednarkiewicz ◽

P Lipiec ◽

J D Kasprzak

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Stress Test ◽

Exercise Stress Test ◽

Bicycle Ergometer ◽

Exercise Stress ◽

Fixation Device ◽

The Mean ◽

First Time

Abstract Background Stress echocardiography (SE) plays an important role among methods of noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic disease. Despite the advantages of physical exercise as the most physiologic stressor, it is difficult (bicycle ergometer) or impossible (treadmill) to obtain and maintain the acoustic window during the exercise. Recently, an innovative probe fixation device was introduced and a research plan was developed to assess the feasibility of external probe fixation during exercise echocardiography on a supine bicycle and upright treadmill exercise for the first time. Methods 37 subjects (36 men, mean age 39 ± 16 years, 21 healthy volunteers, 16 patients with suspected coronary artery disease) were included in this study. This preliminary testing stage included mostly men due to more problematic probe fixation in women. All subjects underwent a submaximal exercise stress test on a treadmill (17/37) or bicycle ergometer (11/37). Both sector and matrix probes were used. We assessed semi-quantitatively the quality of acquired apical views at each stage – the four-point grading system was used (0-no view, 1-suboptimal quality, 2-optimal quality, 3-very good quality), 2-3 sufficient for diagnosis. Results The mean time required for careful positioning of the probe and image optimization was 12 ± 3 min and shortened from 13,7 to 11,1 minutes (mean) in first vs second half of the cohort documenting learning curve. At baseline, 9 patients had at least one apical view of quality precluding reliable analysis. Those patients were excluded from further assessment. During stress, 17 patients maintained the optimal or very good quality of all apical views, whereas in 11 patients the quality significantly decreased during the stress test and required probe repositioning. The mean image quality score at baseline was 2,61 ± 0,48 and 2,25 ± 0,6 after exercise. Expectedly, good image quality was easier to obtain and maintain in the supine position (score 2,74 ± 0,44) points as compared with upright position (score 2,25 ± 0,57). Conclusion This preliminary, unique experience with external probe fixation device indicates that continuous acquisition and monitoring of echocardiographic images is feasible during physical exercise, and for the first time ever - also on the treadmill. This feasibility data stem from almost exclusively male patients and the estimated rate of sufficient image quality throughout the entire test is currently around 60%. We are hoping, that gaining more experience with the product could increase the success rate on exercise tests. Abstract P1398 Figure. Treadmill and ergometer stress test

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Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Ultramafic Rocks from Rachoni Magnesite Mine, Gerakini (Chalkidiki, Northern Greece)

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min10110934 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 934

Author(s):

Evangelos Tzamos ◽

Micol Bussolesi ◽

Giovanni Grieco ◽

Pietro Marescotti ◽

Laura Crispini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Mining Area ◽

Ultramafic Rocks ◽

Northern Greece ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Time In Literature ◽

History Of ◽

First Time ◽

The Eu

The importance of magnesite for the EU economy and industry is very high, making the understanding of their genesis for the exploration for new deposits a priority for the raw materials scientific community. In this direction, the study of the magnesite-hosting ultramafic rocks can be proved very useful. For the present study, ultramafic rock samples were collected from the magnesite ore-hosting ophiolite of the Gerakini mining area (Chalkidiki, Greece) to investigate the consecutive alteration events of the rocks which led to the metallogenesis of the significant magnesite ores of the area. All samples were subjected to a series of analytical methods for the determination of their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics: optical microscopy, XRD, SEM, EMPA, ICP–MS/OES and CIPW normalization. The results of these analyses revealed that the ultramafic rocks of the area have not only all been subjected to serpentinization, but these rocks have also undergone carbonation, silification and clay alteration. The latter events are attributed to the circulation of CO2-rich fluids responsible for the formation of the magnesite ores and locally, the further alteration of the serpentinites into listvenites. The current mineralogy of these rocks was found to be linked to one or more alteration event that took place, thus a significant contribution to the metallo- and petrogenetic history of the Gerakini ophiolite has been made. Furthermore, for the first time in literature, Fe inclusions in olivines from Greece were reported.

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Further observations on North African and South Iberian Bathyporeia (Crustacea, Amphipoda), with the description of a new species

Contributions to Zoology ◽

10.1163/18759866-0740304006 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 74 (3-4) ◽

pp. 279-300

Author(s):

Cédric d’Udekem d’Acoz ◽

Hind Myrieme Chams Echchaoui ◽

Mohamed Menioui

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

North Africa ◽

New Records ◽

Southern Spain ◽

North African ◽

Characteristic Species ◽

South Portugal ◽

First Time ◽

A New Species

A new species of amphipod, Bathyporeia watkini sp. nov. from the Atlantic coasts of North Africa is described. This very characteristic species is abundant in some lagoons and estuaries near 28°N. New morphological information on B. elkaimi d’Udekem d’Acoz and Menioui, 2004 is given after specimens that were recently collected on the Atlantic coasts of southern Spain and South Portugal. The male of B. ledoyeri d’Udekem d’Acoz and Menioui, 2004 is described for the first time and new records of North African B. guilliamsoniana (Bate, 1857) and B. chevreuxi d'Udekem d'Acoz and Vader, 2005a are discussed.

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